We got caught that we hadn't booked any accommodation near Yosemite and we ended up driving here, about 2 hours from the park. We had checked in Mariposa and it was all booked out, but the lady in Best Western there allowed us to use the internet in her lobby to look for hotel in Merced.
Lucky we did because a. when we got to Travelodge it was booked out, and b. we only paid $91 on the website, but someone else who arrived just ahead of us and got the last room paid $125.
So, it's average but clean and you'll have a good sleep. For this price what more do you need?

I chose this TraveLodge since it was not on Highway 99 which has constant road noise all night. This TraveLodge is on State Route 140 (the road to Yosemite) about 1000 feet east of Highway 99. AAA rates this TraveLodge two diamonds but there may be a catch here.

This motel looks to have been built in two phases. There is an L-shaped one story set of buildings that were constructed of concrete block. A stucco coat camouflages the concrete block but where it is chipped you can see the concrete block. The roofs are old tile roofs. The rooms have been somewhat refurbished with new windows and AC/Heat systems but the rooms have the old stand-up tile showers of the 1950s and early 1960s era. There were no towel bars in my room at all. The room was small and I left my open suitcases on the floor when I slept.

Then there is a two-story wing of buildings that make the motel a U-shape. The two story building looks to be newer all the way around. I wonder if the AAA inspector only looked at the two story building. The motel manager assigned me to an older single-level room. I would have given that room a one-diamond rating at best. No way would it be two diamonds.

By the way, just because this motel is off highway 99 does not mean it is quiet for sleeping. It was within close range of a railroad crossing and the trains ran through perhaps once or twice per hour blowing their horns.

The bed was modern and comfortable though.

At the outset, the room seemed to be adequate and at a good price. However, upon finding bedbugs in our bed several hours after trying to unsuccessfully sleep, we became less impressed with our accommodations.

On the bright side, our call to the front desk was promptly answered, despite the 2:30 am time and a new room key was provided. The next room was clean and even an upgrade, but I will not be returning to the Travelodge in Merced.

Needed a cheap place to stay while visiting the parks so I ended up here. It's okay... One and two story buildings. Motel room door faces the parking lot. Clean towels, average carpet, good tv with cable, just a walk in shower, very old microwave(they should throw it away, makes the room look dirty) small refrig..bed is comfortable. paid $50 for the room so I guess I can't expect much, it was good enough..